WASHINGTON LODGE 3-428 NEWSLETTER Non-Member MARCH 2015 Capital Viking March Lodge Meeting: Featured Articles March Meeting ............................................ 1 Festdrakt Workshop ................................ 1 Meet & Greet the 3D Board Rosemaling Workshop ............................. 2 Saturday, March 28, 7 :00 PM Knitting, Crocheting Group .................... 2 February Meeting Photos......................... 3 Norway House, 3846 Meredith Dr., Fairfax, VA The Rigid Heddle ....................................... 5 Potluck — please bring dishes by 6:45 so we President’s Message................................... 6 may start promptly at 7. Virtual Pilgrim Report #2 ........................ 7 April Reading Selections........................... 9 The March Lodge meeting will feature a presentation by the Sons of February Reading Discussion .................. 9 Norway District Three (3D) Board, focusing on new programs and Vice-President’s Message ....................... 10 plans for the District and the entire SofN. We’ll have a two-way ex- Recruit to Win ......................................... 11 change, with a chance to discuss concerns and express hopes for the Holmenkollen History ............................ 11 future. All are welcome, regardless of membership status. District 3 President’s Message ............. 12 Scholarship Deadlines ............................. 12 The Third District is comprised of 52 lodges in the Eastern US, from Litt på Norsk ............................................. 13 Maine to Florida. Mary Anderson, whom many of you met at January’s Discounted Opera Tickets .................... 14 installation of officers, is Third District Board President. The Board “Why Me?” ............................................... 14 meets periodically at lodges throughout the District. They will conduct Tubfrim Winner ....................................... 15 closed business meetings on Friday and Saturday, March 27 and 28, and Scena Theater -”The Norwegians” ..... 15 join our Lodge for potluck on the evening of the 28th. More information Recurring Announcements on 3D is found at www.3dsofn.org/aboutus/. Birthdays ..................................................... 6 Join Sons of Norway ............................... 10 Language Classes ...................................... 14 Care Committee ...................................... 15 Festdrakt MHz Norwegian TV ................................ 15 Lodge Calendar / Area Events .............. 17 Workshop Flyers DATE CHANGE: APRIL 11-12 Festdrakt Workshop .............................. 19 SofN Golf Tournament ......................... 20 March in your new festdrakt this Settende Mai! Deb McConaghy will offer her popular two- day Festdrakt Workshop at Norway House April 11-12 where you can make a com- plete outfit or a component, alter an existing garment, or get measured for an outfit custom-made by Deb at a very reasonable price. Deb will bring a full compliment of fabrics and trims or you can bring your own. Sewing machines can be provided, too. A festdrakt is made of lighter-weight fabric, compared to a bunad, and is more suita- ble for our area’s hot and humid summers (remember them?). Many members have already made lovely dresses with Deb’s help. Shown at left is a festdrakt made at Deb’s 2014 workshop and worn in Brooklyn’s famous Settende Mai Parade. The “model” is a Nordic dancer who came down from NY for the workshop. For more information see the flyer on page 19 of this newsletter. A more comprehen- sive article appeared in last month’s Capital Viking. Email reservations or questions to [email protected]. VOL. 51, NO. 3 PAGE 1 WASHINGTON LODGE 3-428 NEWSLETTER Non-Member MARCH 2015 Rosemaling Workshop by Tina Keune April 25 The Lodge will sponsor a Rosemaling Workshop at als, and your Norway House led by award winning artist Tina Keu- keepsake. Ap- ne on Saturday, April 25, 1-4 PM. Make a keepsake propriate for ornament and a bookmark while learning this tradi- ages 8 to 88+. tional painting technique from an artist whose work Class size is has been purchased by two Scandinavian museums in limited to 10 the US. so Tina can devote time to Students will receive an Intro to Rosemaling packet help all stu- containing: a brush, a sheet illustrating the two basic dents. painting strokes of rosemaling with room to practice, as well as additional combinations of strokes as border Payment will ideas, practice paper, a blank book mark, a printed ro- be required semaled bookmark, and a 1/8” thick wooden ornament the day of the to decorate. The packet also includes information workshop. about the history of rosemaling and the instructor. Students’ ornaments from one of To register, Tina’s recent workshops. Tina will also provide materials to paint the wooden please email ornament, including acrylic paint, sandpaper, a choice [email protected]. of designs, transfer paper, acrylic varnish, and ribbon To learn about Tina’s art and experience see her web- for the masterpiece's final touch. site http://rosemalingbychristina.com. Your cost? A very modest $10 for instruction, materi- Do You Knit? Do you Crochet? Or are you interested in learning either of these skills? Would you like to join a friendly group of knit- ters and crocheters? We are sending this initial inquiry to determine if there is sufficient interest in forming a Knitter’s and Crocheter’s Group at our Lodge, which would be a nice complement to our on-going cultural activity groups. If you think you would be interested in joining a congenial needle arts group, please contact Doris Goodlett at [email protected] or call 703-278-8724. The Lodge has yarn and knitting needles available for members who would like to learn. If there is sufficient interest, the group will determine the best dates and times to meet. Children’s Activities at Meetings Our monthly lodge meetings include youth activities. Parents, please RSVP before each meeting to youth director Annemarie McCaslin at [email protected] with your chil- dren’s names and ages so that activities can be appropriately tailored. VOL. 51, NO. 3 PAGE 2 WASHINGTON LODGE 3-428 NEWSLETTER Non-Member MARCH 2015 Photos from the February Meeting Lodge members who braved sub-zero temperatures on February 20 were richly rewarded with Tina Keune’s presentation on Norwegian and Swedish Folk Art. One of the items Tina discussed, a decorated “rigid heddle” used for band weaving, is highlighted on page 5. VOL. 51, NO. 3 PAGE 3 WASHINGTON LODGE 3-428 NEWSLETTER Non-Member MARCH 2015 More Photos from the February Meeting VOL. 51, NO. 3 PAGE 4 WASHINGTON LODGE 3-428 NEWSLETTER Non-Member MARCH 2015 The Rigid Heddle: A Gift for Weaving By Tina Keune February’s program addressed the subject of Norwe- gian and Swedish folk art and mentioned a particular courting gift known as a rigid heddle. The designs for this loom could be plain, or elaborately carved and painted, with the shapes of animals, plants, hearts, ini- tials, and dates. Weaving involves a warp thread and a weft thread. The warp is the lengthwise set of threads held in ten- sion, Weft threads are woven crosswise through the long warp set of threads. See the diagram to the right. The word warp means “that which is thrown across,” from the German werfen, and Dutch werpen. Band weaving was a task that could be done outside or in- side the home and was demonstrated at wooden knife. The pattern was picked up with the fin- our 2014 Holiday gers. When the woven band became as long as the Festival and Christ- reach of the weaver’s arms, it was loosened from the mas Bazaar by local belt. The rigid heddle was pushed forward and the wo- weaving artisan, ven band with the finished weaving was left hanging Linda Hurt. The from the waist. warp threads were The bands can have geometric patterns dating from the traditionally attached Viking Age. There are no pre-drawn pattern motifs. Patterns are memorized by names, such as rose, cat paw, S-hook, or dove. Experienced weavers can combine designs into long, unique bands and can include their names and year date at the end of the band. Image above and at right courtesy of Laila Duran See the following sites for more information: to a tree or wall at one end, and stretched by fastening historicweaving.com/wordpress/rigid-heddle-band the other end to a belt worn around the waist. Some -weaving/ warp threads are placed in the space between the slats of the loom, while the remaining threads are drawn www.duranpublishing.com through the holes of the slats. http://weavezine.com/ The weft is rolled on a small bobbin, taken through the For lovely internet images, enter the search terms warp threads, and set into the weaving firmly with a “Images for Laila Duran Scandinavian Folklore.” VOL. 51, NO. 3 PAGE 5 WASHINGTON LODGE 3-428 NEWSLETTER Non-Member MARCH 2015 structions. President’s Message I encourage Dear Members, you to think about all the On Friday, February 20th, Tina Keune provide an ex- volunteer cellent program on Norwegian and Swedish folk art. activities She also spoke of challenges to create folk art hun- that you con- dreds of years ago. She also discussed the influence of tribute each religion and art from other countries on Norway and month so Sweden. you can be prepared March will be a very busy month. Deb McConaghy when we ask will have a class on sewing Festdrakt costumes on for volunteer March 7 & 8 (see page 1 and the flyer on page 18). On hours. March 21st we will have the annual Zone 6 Memorial Service in Lutherville, MD. Since we could not partic- There are ipate in the annual Memorial Service the past few several years, we will include our deceased members from Lodge posi- 2012, 2013 & 2014. On Friday, March 27th and Satur- tions still open. I encourage you to seriously consider day, March 28th the Lodge will host the Third District accepting a position. The Lodge needs your support. Board meeting. The 3D Board will meet all day Fri- We have three key open positions, Program Director, day and Saturday at Norway House. On Saturday Cultural Director and Publicity Director, that are ur- evening, March 28th we will have a “meet & greet” gently needed.